The best sunscreens for sensitive skin can be frustratingly hard to come by. There's certainly an art to creating a formula that effectively protects your skin from the sun while not irritating dry patches or breakouts, and we've been testing sunscreens for years to ensure they continue to work summer after summer.
While sunscreens for this skin type do exist, finding them feels like a risky endeavour. "People with sensitive skin may find that some sunscreens can cause irritation, stinging, burning, and redness when applied," explains advanced aesthetic doctor, Dr Preema Vig. "The use of certain sunscreens can make conditions such as eczema and dermatitis flare up."
Despite this, using sunscreen every day – come rain or shine, indoors and outdoors – is the best way to keep your skin safe, fresh-textured and even-toned. And while many of the best face moisturisers do feature SPF, there's no substitute for a standalone sun cream for your face (because you are less likely to apply enough moisturiser to achieve adequate protection compared to a dedicated sunscreen). That's why we've tried and tested dozens of formulas to find truly the best sunscreens for sensitive skin that will protect yours without causing irritation.
The best sunscreens for sensitive skin, tested by our experts
RRP: £20 | Texture: Fluid
Fragrance-free, tested on sensitive skin, hypoallergenic and with portable, slimline packaging, this La Roche-Posay formula offers ultra-high SPF 50+ protection. "I really struggle to find a high-factor suncream that doesn't make my skin break out in angry red spots," says tester Rachael Martin, who has sensitive skin. "After wearing this every day for a week I haven't seen so much as a blemish.
"I love how quickly it sinks into the skin and that you can't see it once it's on; there's absolutely no white cast or oily residue and I found it easy to apply makeup over the top without it smudging or slipping," she adds. "I tested this sunscreen both on an average day and a really sunny one spent outside. I'll be buying it again and would choose it over the Avène SPF 50 I used to buy because it's lighter, rubs in more easily, and is invisible on the skin."
Reasons to buy: Great protection, non-sticky
Reasons to avoid: Quite runny
RRP: £14.50 | Type: Light cream
Not only does Cetaphil cater to sensitive skin types, it does so at very affordable prices. So it was no great surprise when this product ticked so many of our boxes. It's gentle, fragrance-free, non-pore-clogging and features mineral UV filters, which easily irritated skin usually gets on well with.
The texture was bang-on for our reactive complexion; a light, cooling cream that felt comfy, hydrating and softening. In fact, it didn't really feel like sunscreen at all, probably because it's packed with skincare ingredients like glycerin, which tackles some signs of sensitivity like tightness and rough skin texture. As its consistency is a little thicker than others on our list, and it feels so gorgeous to slather on, we could imagine getting through the 50ml tube pretty swiftly. But seeing as it's such a great value product, that's not too much of an issue.
Reasons to buy: Hydrating, high SPF
Reasons to avoid: Runs out quickly
RRP: £69 | Type: Cream
Murad's City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is the ultimate choice for those who want protection from the main causes of skin damage. Skin is shielded from UVA/UVB rays, infrared radiation, pollution and blue light, while the lightweight formula sits grease-free under makeup. All this makes it ideal for everyday wear.
This mineral formula has a peach tint and our tester didn't find it left a white cast on the skin. It's also free from alcohol and fragrance, making it a great option for sensitive skin types, while PA ++++ also offers the highest level of protection from UVA rays alongside the SPF of 50. In other words, while it's undoubtedly a more expensive option, it packs a punch.
Reasons to buy: Offers immense protection
Reasons to avoid: More expensive than other options
RRP: £13 | Type: Fluid
Super lightweight on the skin, this Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF is a drugstore hero. With high, broad spectrum protection, this fluid is easy to rub into the skin without leaving behind a greasy feel or behind detectable to the eye.
The skincare-focused formula – which also includes hyaluronic acid and vitamin E – is also non-comedogenic, a term that means an ingredient or formula won't clog pores. This makes it a great choice for blemish-prone skin, too. It's a favourite of our beauty contributor Lucy Abbersteen, who regularly recommends it as one of her favourite sunscreens.
Reasons to buy: Affordable
Reasons to avoid: Pretty runny
RRP: £16.99 | Type: Powder
A name that goes hand in hand with suncare, we expect a few things from Hawaiian Tropic. Namely cute packaging, user-friendly formulas and a gorgeous tropical scent. All of those are present in this SPF, but so are some unexpected bonuses that make it excellent for sensitive skin. Firstly it uses mineral filters, which suit reactive skin. It also has a very slight lemon tone that's great for neutralising redness and won't look chalky on deep skin tones, plus it contains a selection of soothing botanical extracts.
The one major downside? It is fragranced. It's delicious holiday-like scent and only a very light one at that, but if you know your skin reacts to perfume it may not work for you. However, we loved using it and didn't experience any reactions. It gives a flattering, soft focus effect and the built-in brush makes it ideal for top-ups, conveniently tackling how to reapply sunscreen over makeup.
Reasons to buy: Easy to reapply, lightweight
Reasons to avoid: Lightly fragranced
RRP: £17 | Type: Cream
CeraVe is another well-loved affordable skincare brand with a legion of loyal fans. Despite having a consistency that initially seems quite thick, it rubs in easily. The broad spectrum SPF moisturiser formula features the brand's blend of three ceramides, which help the skin barrier to function healthily.
As well as the aforementioned ceramides, there's also hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin E to help nourish and support the skin. All things considered, it's no surprised that this is a brand that dermatologists regularly recommend in their clinics.
Reasons to buy: Reasonably priced, dermatologist-recommended brand
Reasons to avoid: You may prefer a more lightweight fluid
RRP: £46 | Type: Liquid drops
Ingredient-wise, this is as much a skincare buy as it is sunscreen. Antioxidant-packed green tea and niacinamide are the powerhouse duo in this formula, working together to fight free radical damage and even out the skin tone. Meanwhile, squalane supports the skin barrier while calendula soothes any irritation, which sensitive skin types are prone to.
We loved dropping these onto our skin; although the formula is a little runny, try not to be intimidated by its liquid consistency – it blends like a dream on even the oiliest of skin types (and doesn't contribute to a greasy feel). In fact, we found these drops felt extremely lightweight and airy on our combination skin and enjoyed that they left a moisturising finish with no sticky feel.
Reasons to buy: Lightweight, soothing
Reasons to avoid: Expensive compared to others in our guide
RRP: £15 | Type: Thick cream
This product spells out its USP in its name. It's a broad-spectrum SPF that packs in skincare ingredients, such as glycerin, squalene and polyglutamic acid, to quench sensitive skin while simultaneously protecting it. Our tester Rachael says, "A brand new name for my bathroom cupboard, this was my first time trying a product from The INKEY List and I wasn't disappointed as far as a product for sensitive skin goes. My skin didn't react at all while I was using this."
"What would stop this product from getting full marks from us is that it's quite thick and took a little longer to apply and rub in compared to products such as the La Roche-Posay sunscreen. It also took a while to sink in, leaving my skin glowing white while the product settled." Though our tester didn't find it wore so well under makeup, and she would probably be more likely to use La Roche-Posay day-to-day, we think it would suit someone with very dry skin that absorbs product quickly and easily.
Reasons to buy: Gentle on reactive skin
Reasons to avoid: Takes a while to absorb
RRP: £10.99 | Type: Cream
If you're looking to master how to get rid of acne, you're probably also looking for an SPF that you're sure won't break you out. Turn to this one from Neutrogena, which is made without oil so you can rest assured it shouldn't exacerbate oily skin or worsen breakouts. We love that it's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, too, meaning it'll protect your skin during a pool swim, a splash in the sea or an outdoor workout (though you should always top up your SPF after any of these activities, even with a water-resistant formula).
The only downside to this formula is that it requires a lot of rubbing in and can tend to feel heavy on the skin. That said, you can use it on your entire body in addition to your face without worrying it'll lead to breakouts in areas that are prone to them (in other words, it's ideal if you experience back acne).
Reasons to buy: Water-resistant, won't clog pores
Reasons to avoid: Feels a little heavy
How we tested the best sunscreens for sensitive skin
A selection of the best sunscreens for sensitive skin we tested for this guide
Sensitive skin types can vary significantly, so finding the best sunscreens for sensitive skin was never going to be a one size fits all situation. With this in mind, we trialled dozens of formulas for at least a day each with multiple testers with various types of skin sensitivity. During the testing process, they paid close attention to the following factors.
- Ingredients and formulation – for example, additional skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, or being non-comedogenic
- Type of UV filters used – mineral, chemical or both
- The SPF rating and if the formula is broad spectrum (protecting against UVA and UVB)
- Consistency and feel of the formula
- Ease of application
- How it interacted with the skin and any makeup applied over the top
- Packaging
- Price and value for money
Each product in our guide made the cut because it impressed our testers based on the above criteria and is therefore deemed by us to be a reliable, enjoyable to use, shout-out worthy sunscreen for sensitive skin.
How to choose a sunscreen for sensitive skin
There are several things to consider when it comes to picking the best sunscreen for sensitive skin, but these are the key factors, according to the experts.
- Chemical vs physical: There are two types of sunscreens: chemical and physical. Chemical-based sunscreens use chemicals like octinoxate, avobenzone, and oxybenzone to absorb the rays of the sun and convert them into heat. Physical sunscreens work by bouncing away the sun's UV rays from the skin's surface. "I would recommend seeking physical sunscreens," explains Dr Vig. "They are a gentler option and contain ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are less likely to cause irritation as chemical sunscreens do."
- Consider fragrance-free: "Fragrance is a blanket term for essential oils and perfumes, so it’s difficult to discern exactly what ingredients are being included and how your skin may react," notes Cindy Ha, lead aesthetician at Fairmont Spa Century Plaza. Perfume in skincare can also cause allergic contact dermatitis, which manifests as red, blotchy, scaly patches that are itchy. Of course, it is possible that something else entirely may cause irritation in a non-fragranced skincare product, which is why it's always worth doing a patch test before slathering a new product all over your skin to check for any signs of a reaction.
Do you need to wear sunscreen every day?
Yes! First and foremost, sunscreen will protect your skin from UV damage and burning, which increases your risk of skin cancer. But not only that, UV radiation also causes photoageing (accelerated skin ageing), so applying sunscreen 365 days a year will help to shield your skin and prevent this, too. Look for a broad spectrum sunscreen as this term means it will protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
Does sunscreen expire?
All beauty products have a shelf life and sunscreen can expire – which is important to remember as you need the active ingredients to protect your skin from the sun. Look for one of two symbols on the product packaging to tell you how long your sun cream will be in date. An open box with a number and the letter M in, e.g. "12M", means that the product needs to be used within 12 months of opening. In this case, it's a good idea to write the day you opened said sunscreen somewhere on the packaging so you can keep track.
Alternatively, a black and white egg timer symbol means that the product has a shelf life of 30 months or less, and will therefore have a use-by date printed on the packaging. If this is on the external cardboard box but not the bottle, be sure to write it on the actual product so you don't forget. That way you'll know when it's time to get rid of any expired product and purchase a new sunscreen.
-
We've just found a brilliant M&S lookalike for 2024's answer to the Birkin bag - and it's less than £40The Row's Margaux bag is a celeb style staple, but this M&S alternative is a fraction of the eye-watering original price
-
The Young Woman and the Sea: Did Trudy Ederle really swim through jellyfish?The Young Woman and the Sea has got viewers wanting to know more about Trudy Ederle's adventure across the Channel
